Hillary Allen, famously known as the “Hillygoat,” is a world-class ultrarunner celebrated for her fearless climbs on steep, technical terrain. But in 2017, at the peak of her career as the #1 ultrarunner in the world, Hillary faced a life-changing setback: during a race in Norway, she fell 150 feet off a ridge, breaking 14 bones. Doctors told her she’d never run again.
Yet Hillary didn’t just defy the odds—she redefined them. Today, she’s back competing at the elite level and inspiring others to rewrite their own stories of resilience.
With a background in neuroscience and a master’s in physiology and structural biology, Hillary combines science, grit, and empathy in her work as an author, coach, and speaker.
Her book, Out and Back: A Runner’s Story of Survival Against All Odds, chronicles her incredible comeback.
In this episode, Hillary shares:
- How her lifelong love of running and science shaped her journey
- The mental and physical challenges of recovering from a life-threatening fall
- Practical tips on mindset, self-belief, and self-compassion
- Why she believes your best athletic days can be ahead of you
Whether you’re an athlete, adventurer, or someone looking to overcome setbacks in life, Hillary’s story is a powerful reminder that resilience, courage, and persistence can take you farther than you ever imagined.
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Show notes
- Who is Hillary
- Growing up in Boulder Colorado, USA
- Being an athlete all her life
- Coming from an outdoorsy, academic family
- Describing herself as a science nerd
- Currently in a Masters Program for Applied Sports Psychology
- Having an older sister
- Growing up camping with her family
- Her parents both being professors
- Studying chemistry and neuroscience
- Not finishing her Phd
- Getting her first running sponsorship
- Her running journey to get to being a sponsored athlete
- Starting running in graduate school
- Needing an outlet to reset
- Starting to run with a running group
- Discovering the trail running scene
- When things clicked after running a road marathon
- Wondering if she could do it…
- Being drawn to running and feeling satisfaction in the challenge
- Working hard on her weaknesses
- Working on her ability to run on technical trails and push herself when feeling tired
- Getting into skyruning
- Being named the Hilly Goat!
- Why its a skill you need to practice
- The challenges of 2017
- Heading over to Europe to race
- Tromsø Skyrace
- Thinking she was dying
- Falling 150ft, breaking 14 bones, damaging ligaments and being lucky to be alive
- Book: Out and Back: A Runner's Story of Survival Against All Odds
- Being depressed
- Starting to think about running again
- Believe that your best athletic days are ahead of you
- Helping her mindset and the mental side of the challenge
- Working with a counsellor
- Working past fear
- Breaking her ankle and dealing with another injury
- Going back to do the race again
- Getting her nervous energy out
- Closing the chapter off
- Practical tips around mindset
- The power of self compassion and self belief
- The next plan/goals
- Signing up for a road marathon in January
- Working on building up some speed
- Podcast - Trail Society
- How to connect with Hillary
- Final words of advice for other women
- The importance of daily practices
- Journalling
- Mantra - believe your best athletic days are ahead of you
- Affirmations - I am statements “I am a runner”
- Start small, and start with self belief
Social Media
Website www.hillaryallen.com
Instagram @hillygoat_climbs
Facebook @hillaryallenrunner
Podcast - Trail Society